The second installment of Lawrence University’s Lawrence at Night—seminars, workshops, and talks available to the community—is set to begin in mid-February.
The Winter 2025 catalog features 13 offerings that cover topics ranging from effective communication skills and mindfulness meditation to understanding the Russia-Ukraine war and monsters, miracles, and yths of the Middle Ages.
Details and registration information can be found at Lawrence.edu/lan
Sessions include:
- Effective Communication, Feb. 17 and 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in Warch Campus Center (in person): Rachel Dyer, assistant professor of psychology, will lead a two-part workshop designed to equip attendees with essential communication skills—used by therapists and great managers—through practice, empathy, and tools to ask, reflect, and summarize effectively.
- The Mindful Brain, Feb. 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in Warch Campus Center (in person): Psychology professor Lori Hilt will lead a workshop that explores mindfulness-based interventions used to treat various physical and mental conditions.
- Chinese Calligraphy and Lunar New Year, Feb. 21 and 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in Warch Campus Center (in person): Claire Chen, instructor of Chinese, leads a two-part workshop that explores Chinese calligraphy and Lunar New Year traditions. Participants will craft Spring Festival couplets.
- Moving From War to Peace: The Russia-Ukraine War, Feb. 22, 10-11 a.m. (virtual): Government professor Claudena Skran examines transitions from violent conflict to lasting peace using case studies, particularly within the Russia-Ukraine war.
- Cosmology: Something from Nothing, Feb. 24 and 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in Youngchild Hall Room 115 (in person): Physics professor Megan Pickett delves into the origins of the universe in this two-part seminar exploring the Big Bang, galaxy formation, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
- Writing Your Life, Feb. 25 and 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Memorial Hall Room 105 (in person): Helen Boyd Kramer, affinity group coordinator, instructor of First-Year Studies, and author, explores how to write a memoir in a way that is useful, educational, and (possibly) healing.
- Monsters, Miracles, and Myths of the Middle Ages, Feb. 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in Memorial Hall Room 105 (in person): Danielle Joyner, associate professor of art history, explores the wonders of medieval arts, stories, and sites—what can imaginative monsters and miracles teach us about myths surrounding the “Dark Ages?”
- How to Build Your LinkedIn, March 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (virtual): Jill Manuel, a 1984 Lawrence graduate, leads a session on building a strong LinkedIn profile in six simple steps.
- Journalism in Crisis, March 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (virtual): Jill Manuel, 1984 Lawrence graduate and veteran journalist, examines the challenges facing journalism amid economic pressures and changing media consumption.
- The Chemistry of Art: Exploring the Science Behind the Creativity, March 11, 18, and 25, 6:30-8 p.m., in Steitz Hall Room 127 (in person): Allison Fleshman, associate professor of chemistry, explores the chemistry behind artistic techniques in this course covering light, color, pigments, paints, dyes, and glassmaking.
- The Night Sky: Our Celestial Heritage, March 11 and 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in Youngchild Hall Room 115 (in person): Megan Pickett, associate professor of physics, explores the wonders of the night sky in this two- part seminar.
- Up the Ease in Your Everyday Life: Applying the Alexander Technique, March 17 and 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in Warch Campus Center (in person): Kathy Privatt, associate professor of theatre arts, shows how to apply the Alexander Technique to everyday activities like sitting, standing, and working.
- The JFK Assassination: An American Legacy, March 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in Warch Campus Center (in person): Jerald Podair, professor of history emeritus, examines the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy and its effects on American society.
